Tuesday, 31 January 2017

There are quite a few more Pokémon since the PokéRap rhymed the original 150. Pokémon series veteran producer and composer Junichi Masuda was challenged to see how many of the 802 creatures he could list in 20 seconds.

Masuda was able to rattle off 30, all of which are from the original 150, in their original Japanese names. Nintendo sold a total of 3.7 million copies of the Pokémon Sun and Pokémon Moon 3DS games in North America in less than two weeks. The games sold more than 85% more than the Pokémon X and Pokémon Y games, which previously held the record for the fastest-selling Nintendo game, in the same launch period

Peter Capaldi has announced that he is to leave Doctor Who at the end of the current production run, with his final appearance coming in this year's Christmas special episode. A new actor will then take on the role for Chris Chibnall's first season as showrunner in 2018.

One of the greatest privileges of being Doctor Who is to see the world at its best. From our brilliant crew and creative team working for the best broadcaster on the planet, to the viewers and fans whose endless creativity, generosity and inclusiveness points to a brighter future ahead. I can’t thank everyone enough. It’s been cosmic.

Under Capaldi's reign as The Doctor, the show has expanded globally; he took the series on a world tour and has drawn record ratings in BBC America, Canada, and Latin America.

Peter Capaldi's final series also marks writer and executive producer Steven Moffat's last. He said

For years before I ever imagined being involved in Doctor Who, or had ever met the man, I wanted to work with Peter Capaldi. I could not have imagined that one day we’d be standing on the TARDIS together. Like Peter, I’m facing up to leaving the best job I’ll ever have, but knowing I do so in the company of the best, and kindest and cleverest of men, makes the saddest of endings a little sweeter. But hey, it’s a long way from over. Peters’ amazing, fiery, turbulent Doctor is still fighting the good fight, and his greatest adventures are yet to come. Monsters of the universe, be on your guard - Capaldi’s not done with you yet!

Charlotte Moore, Director of BBC Content, said

Peter Capaldi will always be a very special Doctor to me; his adventures through time and space started just as I arrived on BBC One. He has been a tremendous Doctor who has brought his own unique wisdom and charisma to the role. But, it's not over yet - I know the next series is going to be spectacular. He's a fine actor who I hope we work with again when he leaves the TARDIS

Brian Minchin, Executive Producer said:

Peter Capaldi is an extraordinary Doctor and has taken the show to amazing places. Although I'm sad he has decided to move on in 2018 I'm delighted that we have one final series with Peter Capaldi and Steven Moffat. I know what they're planning and it's going to be incredible.

There is no news yet on when or how the next actor to play the role will be announced, nor of course any indication of who the 13th Doctor might be.

Capaldi's final series as the Doctor, the tenth since the return of Doctor Who in 2005, will begin transmission on BBC One on Saturday 15th April.

Capaldi will be joined in Series 10 by new companion Pearl Mackie (Bill), and Matt Lucas (Nardole) with guest appearances to come from David Suchet and Michelle Gomez. He has starred alongside Jenna Coleman as his companion Clara Oswald, Alex Kingston as River Song, Ingrid Oliver as Osgood, as well as Keeley Hawes, Tom Riley, Frank Skinner, Maisie Williams, Joivan Wade and many more. Capaldi's Doctor has fought Daleks and Davros, Cybermen, Zygons, new monsters like the Veil and old foes the Time Lords.

Class Episode Seven, The Metaphysical Engine, or What Quill Did had an audience of 0.76 million viewers for its debut on BBC One, according the unofficial overnight figures, a share of 8% of the total TV audience.

The rating was fractionally up on the overnight figures for last week's episode. The programme was outrated by by Newsnight on BBC Two, which had 0.79 million, but it beat Through the Keyhole on ITV which had 0.65 million.

The series concluded with Episode Eight, The Lost, which followed at 11.35pm and had an audience of 0.26 million, a share of 4.7%. This episode was beaten in its timeslot Hospital on BBC 2 with 0.33 million, and marginally by The Chase on ITV which also had 0.26 million.
Consolidated ratings are now available for episodes 3 and 4 of Class, shown on BBC One two weeks ago, which include details of those who recorded the programme and watched it within a week.

Episode 3, Nightvisiting, which was broadcast at 10.47pm, had a confirmed audience of 0.79 million viewers, a 7.5% share of the total TV audience. The channel average for the timeslot is of 1.85 million. The figure is actually lower than the initial overnight figure. This can happen as the overnight figures are just an estimate based on the scheduled timeslot. The final figures are the accepted official figure for the episode. The programme won the timeslot with BBC Two's Newsnight getting 0.69 million watching. An additional 0.29 million have accessed the episode on iPlayer since its release on BBC Three last October.

Episode 4, Co-Owner Of A Lonely Heart, followed immediately afterward, starting at 11.31pm, and had a consolidated audience of 0.34 million watching, a share 5.2% of the audience. The channel average for the timeslot is 0.82 million. Episode 4 increased its audience by 21% over the initial figure. Around 250,000 have accessed the episode on iPlayer.

The simuldub will premiere on January 29 at 9:00 p.m. EST. The anime premiered in Japan on January 10, and Crunchyroll is streaming the series in Japanese with English subtitles as it airs in Japan. Crunchyroll describes the series:

Tazuna is a high school student, living in Osaka, who loves to fiddle around with machines. One day, he receives a repair request from an university laboratory. He accepts the request and ends up meeting a girl named Koyori, who has been bedridden for a very long time. Guided by something unknown, Tazuna touches Koyori's fingertip, and they create a weapon called “Nimrod”. After creating the Nimrod, Tazuna hears a voice: “Those of you who've overcome many battles and difficulties, who've had a revelation, and who intend to challenge Me are “Hand Shakers.””
Suddenly, Tazuna and Koyori get pulled into a whole different world called “Ziggurat”. In this world, there are Hand Shakers, two people who touch hands and create the Nimrod. Their goal is to defeat other Hand Shakers in order to gain an audience with “God”, who will grant them wishes. Bewildered by this new world before him, Tazuna tries to comprehend what's happening. At that moment, Tazuna and Koyori are attacked by an unknown assailant.

GoHands is in charge of the original planning, and GOON TRAX is composing the music. GoHands, Frontier Works, and Kadokawa are all credited with the original work. Shingo Suzuki (K, Coppelion director) and Hiromitsu Kanazawa (K, Coppelion series director) are directing the series at GoHands, and Kanazawa is also in charge of the series scripts. Takayuki Uchida (Asa made Jugyō Chu!) is the character designer. OxT (Overlord) is performing the anime's opening theme song "One Hand Message." Masayoshi Ōishi is playing the acoustic guitar on the song, while Tom-H@ck is playing the electric guitar. Akino Arai is performing the ending theme song "Yume Miru Ame" (Dreaming Rain).

Big Finish Productions have won the award for the Best Online/non Broadcast drama in the 2017 BBC Radio Drama Awards.

The team won for Absent Friends, the first part of the Eighth Doctor series Doom Coalition 3, releaed in October 2016.

The awards, which have been running since 2012, celebrate the range, originality and quality of audio drama on air and online and recognise the creativity of actors, writers, producers, sound designers and others who work in the genre. Big Finish previously won the award in 2014 for another Eighth Doctor story Dark Eyes.

The winners were announced this evening, at a special ceremony hosted by Sir Lenny Henry and Director of BBC Radio and Music Bob Shennan in the Radio Theatre at BBC Broadcasting House, London.

Vincent and the Doctor actorBill Nighy was presented with the Special Award for Services to Radio Drama by Amelia Bullmore, recognising his tremendous contribution to audio drama over his career. Memorable highlights span from playing Sam Gamgee in The Lord Of The Rings in the 1980s to his regular appearances now as the actor-turned-detective Charles Paris, with appearances also in Cigarettes And Chocolate by Anthony Minghella, Private Lives with Helena Bonham Carter along with untiring support for the genre in general.

Bob Shennan, BBC Director of Radio, said:

This impressive list of winners illustrates the range and uniqueness of audio drama in its ability to tell stories like no other medium, transporting listeners to the world of imagination. It’s evident the genre attracts high calibre talent and there’s a fantastic audio drama community right across the UK, producing world class content for the enjoyment of millions. I’m proud of the achievements of everyone nominated for these awards and I want to congratulate all of the winners.

John Hurt, the man who played the missing regeneration of the Doctor, the War Doctor, was one of the most respected actors of his generation. Over a 50 year career, he played some of the most memorable characters in British Film and television, dominating the profession with his rich voice entrancing audiences. His career earnt him two Academy Award nominations, a Golden Globe Award, as well as four BAFTA Awards.

John Hurt was born in Chesterfield, Derbyshire on 22nd January 1940. He trained at the Grimsby Art School, before winning a scholarship allowing him to study at Saint Martin's School of Art in London. In 1960, he won a scholarship to RADA, where he trained for two years.

His first film was The Wild and the Willing but he made his mark in Fred Zinnemann's A Man for All Seasons playing Richard Rich. His portrayal of Timothy Evans, in 10 Rillington Place, the true story of an innocent man hanged for murder, earnt him his first BAFTA nomination.

He won a BAFTA playing Quentin Crisp in the TV play The Naked Civil Servant, produced by ex-Doctor Who producer Verity Lambert, a role he would reprise in the 2009 film An Englishman in New York. He won further plaudits in the 1976 series I Claudius playing the psychotic Roman emperor Caligula.

In 1978 he won his first Acadamy nomination for Midnight Express, losing out to Christopher Walken, but for which he won a Golden Globe and a second BAFTA. His unique voice graced the animated films Watership Down and Lord of the Rings. In 1980 he played John Merrick in The Elephant Man earning him his second Acadamy nomination. The same year he came to a gruesome end as Kane in Alien, and four years later he played Winston Smith in the film adaptation of the Orwell classic set in that year Nineteen Eighty-Four.

He had roles in the Harry Potter films and the Merlin TV series and played the MP Alan Clark in The Alan Clark Diaries. Hurt recently starred in Oscar-nominated biopic of President John F. Kennedy's widow, Jackie, which is currently showing in cinemas.

In 2013, at the age of 73 he made his debut in Doctor Who, playing The War Doctor, a character invented by show-runner Steven Moffat to fill the gap in the series 50th Anniversary story, The Day of the Doctor, when it became apparent that Ninth Doctor Christopher Eccleston did not wish to take part.

I remember saying to Marcus [Wilson, producer], What if there was an incarnation of the Doctor none of us knew about? And, coincidentally, he was played by the most famous actor in the world? Specifically, someone who might have been cast as the Doctor during the long hiatus. For instance, John Hurt...

Hurt accepted the offer almost immediately, giving him a place in the series history as one of the rare breed of actor to have played The Doctor.

He was quite insistent, saying to me and to others: “So I am properly Doctor Who now. I am a Doctor Who.I can say it?” He loves the fact that he’s Doctor Who. Only having to stay in Cardiff for three weeks, he gets to be Doctor Who.

Hurt would return to the role for Big Finish in 2015

In 2015 Hurt received a knighthood from Her Majesty The Queen for services to drama, to add to the CBE he received in 2004.

John Hurt was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer in 2015 but was later given the all clear. In an interview last year he said he had no fear of death.

I hope I shall have the courage to say, ‘Vroom! Here we go! Let’s become different molecules! I can't say I worry about mortality, but it's impossible to get to my age and not have a little contemplation of it. We're all just passing time, and occupy our chair very briefly.

John Hurt was married four times. He is survived by his wife of 12 years Anwen Rees-Myers, and his two sons Alexander and Nicholas

Titan Comics have released details of the comics coming in the first half of February.

The first week sees the latest in the Twelfth Doctor series. The following week sees the latest in the Eleventh Doctor Series as well as the explosive second arc of Torchwood. The series, written by John Barrowman with co-writer Carole Barrowman, unites the team with comics legend Neil Edwards. ON SALE FEBRUARY 1TWELFTH DOCTOR #2.14

Thanks to the rather exciting Julie d'Aubigny, the Doctor defeated an infestation of cosmic darkness in Paris, France, in 1695. Though Julie was interested in joining the Doctor on his travels - as long as she got to drive! - the Doctor has left her to get on with her own adventures for the time being. Perhaps she'll be back for seconds in the future...? In the meantime, there are always new adventures to be had, and new people to meet!

Gwen Cooper has been pulled away from her domestic bliss by the reappearance of Captain Jack Harkness, and his companions, the crew of the alien tech-filled ship the Ice Maiden. No sooner has Gwen rejoined the team, than they has to contend with jetski-riding ninjas, a mystery involoving an alien race known as the Navigators, the return of the roguish Captain John Hart, and the revelation that the current Lady of Torchwood House, Karina is far from what she seems. As we rejoin events in the midst of a stand-off, things are more than a little tense

The brand new day for the Eleventh Doctor and Alice continues as they head out into the galaxy in search of the amazing and the unknown! Who will join them aboard the TARDIS... and what will become of them? Plus - with all they've seen and done together, can the Doctor still surprise Alice? Oh, you bet!

Friday, 27 January 2017

The official website of the live-action film adaptation of Miwa Ueda's Peach Girl manga announced on Friday that Carly Rae Jepsen's "Call Me Maybe" song will serve as the film's theme song. This will be the first time that a Japanese film features one of Jepsen's songs.
The website is also streaming a trailer for the film. The trailer announces that the film will premiere in Japan on May 20. (Note: Click on the screencap below to go to the film's website to see the trailer.)

In addition, idol group Hey! Say! JUMP's Kei Inoo is playing Kairi in his first film role.
Koji Shintoku (live-action Mars ~Tada, Kimi wo Aishiteru!) is directing the film, and Junpei Yamaoka (live-action Gin to Kin drama) is writing the scripts. Kouichi Tsutaya (Konchū Monogatari Mitsubachi Hutch - Yūki no Melody) is composing the film's music. Ueda's manga centers on an average high school girl named Momo whom everyone thinks sleeps around because of her tanned skin. The actual reason she is so tanned is because she was on the swim team and tans very easily. She has a crush on Toji, a boy whom she's heard only likes non-tanned girls. Momo has low self-esteem and tries to remake herself into someone she thinks Toji would like, but she has a "friend" named Sae who enjoys going behind Momo's back and making her life miserable.
The original shojo manga ran in Kodansha's Bessatsu Friend magazine from its October 1997 issue through its January 2004 issue. Ueda also published a spinoff manga, Peach Girl: Sae’s Story, in 2005. Tokyopop published both the original manga and the spinoff in North America, but split the original manga into two separate series: Peach Girl and Peach Girl: Change of Heart. Ueda launched a sequel manga series titled Peach Girl Next in Kodansha's Be-Love magazine on August 12. Kodansha shipped the first compiled book volume of the sequel series on January 13.
The series inspired a live-action drama in Taiwan in 2001 and a Japanese television anime in 2005. Funimationreleased the anime adaptation.

The simuldub will premiere on Thursday at 9:30 p.m. EST. The anime premiered in Japan on January 10, and Crunchyroll is streaming the series in Japanese with English subtitles as it airs in Japan. Funimation describes the series:

Jean Otus, commonly known as “Jean the Cigarette Peddler,” is one of the most cunning agents working for the unified group known as “ACCA.” In a kingdom split between 13 regions, ACCA serves to maintain the peace. Those working in the syndicate consider it their life and purpose. But Jean is monitored by gazes, rumors, and…snack time. Slowly, his life is swallowed up into the world's conspiracies!

Japanese female wrestler Saori Yoshida is appearing in two new Pokémon Sun & Moon commercials starting on January 31. In the commercials, the decorated wrestler is carried by Machamp (Kairiky) while dressed as a Trial Guide from the games.

Yoshida was interviewed after finishing up the commercials. She commented that after trying out the game for the shoot, she felt it was very similar to a wrestling regimen where she cannot win without working hard, practicing, and then battling with a well-trained body. She also enjoyed shooting with Machamp who she said would make a strong partner.
Yoshida is well known in her native Japan, having won gold in her weight class in the 2004, 2008 and 2012 Games. In her 20 year career, she's only lost three times internationally and has won 13 consecutive world championships.

The dub will premiere on Wednesday at 9:30 p.m. EST. The anime premiered in Japan on January 7, and Crunchyroll is streaming the series in Japanese with English subtitles as it airs in Japan. Kodansha Comics is releasing the manga in English, and it describes the story:

Monsters of legend walk among us, going by the name “demi-humans.” Ever since he's discovered the “demis,” one young man has become obsessed with them. So when he gets a job as a teacher at a high school for demi-girls, it's a dream come true! But these demis, who include a rambunctious vampire, a bashful headless girl, and a succubus, have all the problems normal teenagers have, on top of their supernatural conditions. How to handle a classroom full of them?!

The adorable Pikachu Yellow variant of the New Nintendo 3DS XL is finally heading to North America next month. The design was first released in Japan with the launch of the Pokémon Sun & Moon games on November 18.
Three months later, North American players can finally get their hands on the system beginning on February 24 for US$199.99.

North America also got a black Legendary Pokémon variant on October 28. [Via Sal Romano at Gematsu]

Wednesday, 25 January 2017

Toei Animation began streaming a 15-second video preview for the Dragon Ball Super television anime's new arc, the "Universe Survival Saga," on Wednesday. The video shows clips from various action scenes in the new arc.

The anime's site describes the arc's story:

According to an invitation that Goku gets, Zen-Oh is starting a martial arts tournament between all the universes called "Chikara no Taikai" (Tournament of Power). But it is the beginning of universal destruction. Something awaits the winners and losers of this tournament. What will become of this fierce team battle between each universe's elite warriors?

The new arc will debut on February 5. Kiyoshi Hikawa is performing the new opening theme song as his first anime tie-in song. Yukinojo Mori wrote the lyrics for the rock number "Genkai Toppa x Survivor" (Limit Breakthrough x Survivor), and Takafumi Iwasaki composed the music.

Toonami Asiapremiered the series in Southeast Asia and India on January 21 with a different English dub produced by Bang Zoom! Entertainment. Toei Animationannounced in October that the anime will begin airing in Europe, the Middle East, and Africa between fall and winter.

During a talk event at the "Huawei Presents Starry Sky Illuminations" display in Roppongi, Tokyo on Tuesday, anime film director Makoto Shinkai discussed his next planned work: "Though the deadline for the proposal is approaching, I still haven't written a single word." He added, with a laugh, "It's getting bad." He said that he is reading novels, manga, and books on folklore, as well as watching movies to look for something that will link to his emotions.
Regarding his recent your name. anime film, Shinkai had always intended the ending to be [Spoilers: please highlight the white space to read]a happy ending. He said that he wanted the film to be different from his previous films, and have the work be about not giving up and breaking through some obstacle. He also commented on the film's structure, mentioning that he made the film work in a three-act structure, and noting the traditional Japanese johakyū (beginning, break, rapid) concept of storytelling. He plotted the course of the film's story in a graph, and "thought about what kind of roller-coaster ride I wanted to put the audience through." He also stated that he wanted every part to be interesting, and that popular works such as Disney's Frozen all attempt to do the same thing.
Shinkai said at the Busan International Film Festival in October that he would like to make his next work at TOHO within three years. He added that his next work will be about young boys and girls in adolescence.
Also at Busan, he addressed remarks by critics and fans that he is a "post-Hayao Miyazaki " director, by saying that it is an "overestimation." He added that "Miyazaki's movies have a worth and power as a single brand. I will just continue to make movies that a lot of people can enjoy." Later in October, Shinkai denied rumors that he might work at Studio Ghibli. "No and I don't think they'd even ask me," he told UK-based website Express. Shinkai elaborated that his style and Studio Ghibli's are really nothing alike. He said that Ghibli's films are about "craftsmanship" that bring characters to life while his are "a series of stop-motions."
Shinkai's your name. film recently returned to the top of the Japanese box office in its 22nd weekend, after nine weeks off the spot. The film had topped the Japanese charts for nine straight weekends since it opened on August 26 last year, and in its 10th weekend dropped to #2 to Death Note Light up the NEW world, before regaining the top spot in its 11th weekend, and it stayed at the top spot in its 12th and 13th weekends.
The film is now the fourth highest-grossing film of all time in Japan, the second highest-grossing Japanese film, and the second highest-grossing anime film. As of January 15, the film has earned 23.23 billion yen (about US$204 million) in Japan. The only Japanese film to gross higher is Spirited Away (30.8 billion yen). The film has earned US$281 million worldwide and toppedSpirited Away in its worldwide box office total. While Spirited Away is still the highest grossing anime film domestically, your name. is the highest-grossing anime film worldwide.

Tuesday, 24 January 2017

Online retailer Amazon is listing a new Fairy Tail novel slated for March 17 from Kodansha in Japan. The novel is titled Fushigi no Kuni no Fairy Tail (Fairy Tail in Wonderland). Ren Kanan (Ōedo Fairy Tail) is listed as the author along with original creator Hiro Mashima.
The original manga follows the adventures of world's most notorious mage guild, Fairy Tail. It previously inspiredtwo light novels published by Kodansha and written by Miu Kawasaki: Fairy Tail: Kokoro ni Yadoru Color (The Color Residing Within the Heart) in May 2012, and Fairy Tail 2: Dai Matō Enbu Sono Ato, Sorezore no Ichinichi (Each of the Fighters' Day After the Grand Magic Games) in August 2014. Kanan's Fairy Tail: Ōedo Fairy Tail novel (pictured right) shipped in October 2015.

Class Episode Five, Brave-ish Heart had an audience of 0.66 million viewers for its debut on BBC One, according the unofficial overnight figures, a share of 7% of the total TV audience.

The rating is down on the overnight figures for last week's episode and the programme was outrated by both Newsnight on BBC Two, which had 0.73 million watching, and by Through the Keyhole on ITV, which had 0.70 million.

Episode Six, Detained, which followed at 11.35pm had an audience of 0.21 million, a share of 3.5%. This episode was beaten by Hospital on BBC Two, 0.33 million, by The Chase on ITV with 0.26 million.

Consolidated ratings are now available for the first two episodes of Class, shown on BBC One two weeks ago, which include those who recorded the programme and watched it within a week.

Episode 1, For Tonight We May Die, which was broadcast at 10.46pm, had a confirmed audience of 1.06 million viewers, a 10.7% share of the total TV audience. The channel average for the timeslot is of 1.85 million. The figure is about 12% higher than the initial overnight figures. An additional 0.66 million have accessed the episode on iPlayer since its release on BBC Three last October.

Episode 2, The Coach with the Dragon Tattoo, followed immediately afterward, starting at 11.40pm, and had a consolidated audience of 0.55 million watching, a share 9.5% of the audience. The channel average for the timeslot is 0.64 million. Episode 2 increased its audience by 40% over the initial figure, implying many decided to goto to bed and watch the episode later. Around 300,000 have accessed the episode on iPlayer.

Pseudoscope Publishing is seeking submissions for the upcoming Time Shadows 2 short-story anthology to raise money for for charity.

Time Shadows 2 follows 2016’s successful Time Shadows which has already raised nearly $900 for the Enable Community Foundation. The book is edited by Stephen Hatcher (Time Shadows, Myth Makers, Short Trips), with Associate Editors Matt Grady (Time Shadows, Myth Makers, Short Trips) and John Davies (Time Shadows, Celestial Toyroom, Blake’s Heaven)

Time Shadows 2 Doctor Who short-story anthology

Over 2,000 years, the Doctor has worn many faces and led many lives. He has confronted some of the most dangerous creatures in the universe, and fought the demons that lurk within his own soul. Some fights he was won. Others have left his hearts broken.

The Doctor has held the Key to Time in his hands, and wielded a weapon that ended billions of lives in a single Moment. But he has also stopped to comfort a crying child, argued the virtue of a well-prepared meal, fallen in love, and experienced cities made of song.

An impossible man living an impossible life, running away from responsibility and into danger.

The stories of Time Shadows 2 will explore the past actions and future consequences of the Doctor, his friends and his enemies, and reflect on how they lived to fight another day.

Monday, 23 January 2017

FUNimation Entertainmentannounced on Sunday that its streaming and home video license for the Sekirei and Sekirei: Pure Engagement anime series will expire on February 9. After that time, Funimation will remove the anime from streaming, and will not reprint the Blu-ray Discs and DVDs after they have sold out. Sekirei's story begins when Minato Sahashi, a hapless man who has failed at getting into college or getting a love life, suddenly meets a beautiful girl named Musubi. Minato learns he can become an Ashikabi, a master of the 108 artificial, humanlike creatures in the Sekirei Project that will fight each other to their dying breaths. Musubi happens to be a Sekirei herself.
The first season aired in 2008, and Sekirei: Pure Engagement aired in 2010. Funimationreleased the first series on DVD in 2010, and on Blu-ray Disc in 2012. Funimationreleased the second series on Blu-ray Disc and DVD in 2012. The company re-released both series together on Blu-ray Disc and DVD in 2013, and again last July.
The series is based on Sakurako Gokurakuin's manga series of the same name, which launched in Square Enix's Young Gangan in 2004. The manga ended in August 2015. Yen Press began releasing the manga digitally in November 2015, and will publish the eighth volume digitally on January 31.

Sakura, Card Captor Sakura's heroine, has a birthday on April 1. To celebrate the occasion this year, a big party is being planned at the Rune Kodaira Great Hall in Kodaira, Tokyo, which fits 1,229 guests. Much of the anime's cast is being reunited: Sakura Tange (Sakura), of course, but also Junko Iwao (Tomoyo), Aya Hisakawa (Kero-chan), Motoko Kumai (Li), Megumi Ogata (Yukito), and perhaps others.
The party will be held in two different sections, an afternoon event beginning at 3:30 and an evening one at 6:30. Interested fans must apply for the tickets on e+; application closes on February 19, and the winners of a ticket raffle will be announced on February 23. There are four different ticket categories: general (5,940 yen/$51.70), one adult and one child (9,720 yen/$84.60), one adult and two children (13,500 yen/$117.50), and two adults and two children (19,440 yen/$169). Card Captor Sakura celebrated its 20th anniversary last year by announcing a new manga and anime series. The manga is currently running in Nakayoshi magazine, while the anime will premiere in January 2018.

The English simuldub will premiere on Monday at 10:00 p.m. EST. The anime premiered in Japan on January 6, and Crunchyroll is streaming the series as it airs with subtitles.
The series adapts author Carlo Zen and illustrator Shinobu Shinotsuki's Yōjo Senki (The Military Chronicles of a Little Girl) light novel series. The novel series centers on a young girl who fights on the frontlines in war. She has blonde hair, blue eyes, and nearly transparent white skin, and she flies through the air and mercilessly strikes down her opponents. Her name is Tanya Degurechaff, and she speaks with a young girl's lisp and commands the army. Tanya used to be one of Japan's elite office workers, but because of a wrathful god, was reborn as a little girl. Tanya prioritizes optimization and career advancement above all, and she will become the most dangerous entity among the Imperial Army's mages.

The second season of Tales of Zestiria the X additionally features Seth Magill as Eguile and Natalie Hoover as Ayn Felice. Additionally, the show's episode 13 features the following new cast: